Combination seat and table with spring-blased table top



Nov. 3, 1959 L. K. EDWARDS COMBINATION SEAT AND TABLE WITH SPRINGBIASED TABLE TOP Filed July 24, 1958 United States Patent Office COMBINATION SEAT AND TABLE WITH SPRlNG-BIASED TABLE TOP This invention relates to combination seat and table constructions, and more particularly to a construction of this class in which a table top is mounted for movement between an out-of-the-way raised retracted position at counter height above a seat, and a forward lowered position at normal table height outward of the seat in which a person may be seated on the seat from one end thereof, the top remaining substantially horizontal as it moves between the stated positions. I

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 403,682, filed January 13, 1954, for Combination Seat and Table issued as Patent 2,845,114, July 29, 1958.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of an improved seat and table construction of the class described which may be economically manufactured, supplied in knocked-down form, and easily and economically assembled on the job; the provision of a construction of this class which includes a base for mounting the operating parts of the construction, the base also serving as means for securing the construction to the floor or wall and as a base for the seat, with the arrangement such that the seat is utilized as a counterweight for aiding in preventing the construction from tipping over without any significant necessity for accuracy in manufacture of the seat, or strength or rigidity of the seat; the provision of a construction of this class which is such as to permit an installation for entry from one end or the other end of the seat from the same knocked-down set of parts; the provision of a construction of this class which inherently provides for shock-absorption in the event of forceful lowering of the table top, thereby simplifying the problem of securing the construction in place; and the provision of a construction of this class which lends itself to good appearance and in which there is no obstruction to access to storage space under the seat. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

' 1n the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the construction of this invention showing the table top in its raised retracted position, the seat being illustrated in phantom;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the table top in its forward lowered position;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of-the construction on a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2, omitting the showing of the seat;

Fig. 4 is a right-end view of Fig. 3, with parts broken away and shown in section, and showing the seat in phantom;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 7--7 of Fig. 4; and, v

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a seat and table combination of this invention in which the table construction is generally designated 1 and in which the seat (shown in phantom in Figs. 1, 2 and 4) is designated 3. The seat has a back 5, and it will be understood that it is usually mounted against a wall such as a kitchen wall. The seat may be made to serve as a cabinet, and in this case may have cabinet doors (not shown) in the front. Thetable construction 1 comprises a table top 9 of rectangular shape somewhat longer than the seat. The top 9 is mounted for movement between the raised retracted position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 wherein it is positioned at an elevation above the floor corresponding to counter height for stand-up work, and in which it is located'directly above the seat 3 in an out-of-the way position with its rearward edge 11 overlying the top of the back 5 of the seat, and the forward lowered position shown in Fig. 2 located outward away from the back of the seat wherein it is positioned at a lower elevation above the floor corresponding to normal table height for eating and sitdown work. This mounting is effected by-means of a front leg 13 and a rear leg 15 at one end of the construction, these legs being pivotal-1y connected to the table top 9 at their upper ends and pivotally mounted at their lower ends at one end of a base 17 constituted by an open rectangular frame. This base frame 17 also constitutes a base for the seat 3. Legs 13 and 15 constitute a parallelogram linkage mounting the top 9 for swinging movement between its two stated positions, while retaining it substantially horizontal as it swings.

More particularly the base frame 17 comprises a length of sheet metal channel bent as indicated at 19 and 21 to U-shape, with the channel flanges on the inside, thereby providing a front frame member 23 and end frame members 25 and 27. The frame 17 further comprises a resilient rear frame member '29 constituted by a length of sheet metal tubing (e.g., cold-drawn seamless steel tubing). The end of this member 29 toward the left as viewed from the front is securely welded to the left end frame member 25. The member 29 extends across the rear of frame 1 7 and extends from the right of the frame through a hole 31 therein. It is also securely Welded to the right end frame member 27. The extending end portion of the rear frame member or tube 29 is designated 33. Holes such as indicated at 35 are drilled in the tube 29 at various suitable angles for receiving screws (not.

shown) to fasten the tube 29 to the floor or wall, there-- These holes 352 are located a substantial distance away from the endi by to secure the frame 17 in place.

frame members 25 and 27 so that tube 29, when fastened to the floor or wall by the screws, may provide for a spring action to be described.

The front leg 13 is the vertical leg of a C-shaped I swingable frame designated in its entirety by the reference of the frame 17, for example, about one third the distance from the front to the rear of the frame 17. It

Patented Nov. 3, 1959 will be understood that bar 45, instead of extending through a hole in frame member 25, could terminate short of member 25 and engage a male or female fitting or projection on the inside of member 25. The upper bar is. straddled by a pair ofstraps 53 .secured to the underside of'the table top 9 as by screws 55, being rotatable-in the. straps to establish the pivotal connection between the front leg 13 and the table top 9. The upper bar 43 extends endwise under the table top 9'and constitutes a. rigid horizontal cantilever. extension from the upper end of the front leg 13 for firmly supporting the, top against endwise tilting.v

TheC-shaped frame 41 is held in assembly with the base frame 17 by means of pins 57 and 59 secured to and projecting from the lower bar 450a opposite sides of the. side. frame member 27. Pin 59 is adapted to be passed through a slot 61 extending radially from the hole 51 in the side frame member 27. The angle of this slot 61 relativeto member 27 and the angle of the pins 57 and. 59 relative to frame 41 are such that, with the parts assembled and in their final position, the limited rotation of the bar 45 is insufficient for the pins to come into alignment with the slot so as to prevent bar 45 from sliding endwise out of assembly. The C-shaped frame 41 is held in assembly with, the table top 9 by means of pins 63 secured to and projecting from the upper bar 13 on opposite sides of one of the straps 53.

The rear leg 15, as shown, may consist of a length of steel tubing or pipe, having its lower end flattened as appears in Fig. 6 and provided with a hole 65 for reception of a pivot pin 67 entered in the projecting end portion 33 of tube 29 and held therein as by a pin 69 (which may be a nail having its end bent after assembly, or a cotter pin). The upper end of the rear leg 15 has apin connection at 71 to a cilp 73, which'may be of inverted U-shape receiving the upper end of the rear leg between the sides of the inverted U, and which is fastened as by screws 75 to the underside of the table top 9.

For limiting the swing of the legs 13 and 15 and providing a return bias for the table top 9, there is pro: vided an extensible spring brace designated in its entirety by the reference character 77. This brace comprises a cylinder 79 having an upper end head 81. A rod 83 is axially slidable in an opening 85 in head 81. Rod 83 has an outwardly extending flange 87 at its inner end within the cylinder 79, and a coil compression spring 89 which surrounds the rod within the cylinder reacts from the head 81 against this flange to bias the rod to a retracted position of minimum extension from the head of the cylinder (see Fig. 4). The rod 83 has a shoulder at 91 interengageable with the end head 81 of the cylinder to provide a positive stop determining a position of maximum extension of the rod from the cylinder (Fig. In this position, spring 89 is not fully compressed.

The cylinder 79 is pivoted at its lower end on the pin 67 (see Fig. 6) outward of the flattened lower end of the rear leg 15. The rod 83 extends to the rear side of the front leg 13, the upper end of the rod being pinconnected as indicated at 93 tothe eye 95 of an eyebolt 97 secured to the front leg 13 (see Fig. 7). The eyebolt extends through holes 98 in the front leg 13, a nut 99 being threaded on the shank of the eyebolt to hold it in assembly with the leg 13.

The above-described construction is adapted to be supplied in knocked-down form, in a package containing as individual parts the base frame 17, the C-shaped frame 41, a subassembly of the rear leg and clip 73, the straps 53 and a subassembly of the extensible brace 77, the pin 67 and the eyebolt 97. The table top and seat are separately supplied. At the place of installation,

- the upper bar 43 of the frame 41 is assernbled with the table top 9 by means of the straps 53, and the clip 73 is attached to the top 9 at the proper locations. Then the lower bar 45 of the frame 41 is assembled-with the base frame 17 by inserting the bar, 45. through holes 51 and 49, rotating the bar'45 to line up'pin 59-with slot 61 extending from hole 51, then passing the .pin 59 through the slot to the inside of end member 27 of the frame 17, and rotating the bar 45 to swing pin 59 out of alignment with the slot. Pin 67, extending transversely through the lower end of the cylinder 79, is applied to the rear leg 15, inserted in the end portion 33 of tube 29, and secured inplace by pin 69. Then the eyebolt 97 is assembled with the front leg 13. The assembly is thenpushed against the'wall" in the desired location and anchoredas to the floor by means of screws (not shown) entered through holes 35in the tube 29. These screws are preferably tightened until the tube 29 is deflected about one-quarter inch. Finally, the'seat is placed on the base frame 17. The seat may be of any desired construction and held in assembly with the base frame in any suitable manner, as by having bottom projections extending downward within the base frame engageable with the upper flanges of the channel member from which the front and ends of the base frame are formed.

The height of the legs 13 and 15 corresponds to the height of the back of the seat (and tocounter height). In the raised retracted position'of the table top 9 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4), the legs are generally vertical.

of a parallelogram whose upper and lower sides are horizontal, whereby the legs 13 and 15 constitute a parallelogram linkage mounting the table top 9 for swinging movement while retaining the top substantially horizontal as it swings. position, spring 89 tends to hold it there. When the top 9 is swung forward from its retracted position, the brace 77 is extended and spring 89 is compressed, but as the top swings forward against the bias of the spring 89 its weight overcomes the return bias of the spring, When the top is in its forward position (Fig. 2), the resultant of the weight of the top tending to swingit forwardis greater than the return bias of the spring 89, so that thetop remains in forward position until pushed back. The

forward position is determined by engagement of ShOUId'. er 91 on rod 83 with the head 81 of cylinder 79. The return bias of spring 89 aids in returning the top to its retracted position.

In the completed installation, the arrangement is such that the weight of the seat 3 acts in opposition to downword load on the table top 9 to prevent the entire-unit from tipping over.

holes 33 in the tube 29. This provides sufficient shockabsorbing capacity, by reason of the flexibility of the tube, to prevent repeated hard lowering of the table top from loosening these screws, the tube acting as a spring for shock-absorbing purposes. The spring89 also functions to reduce shocks, as well as functioning to hold the top in retracted position and to ease the pushing,

back of the top to retracted position.

As herein illustrated, the assembly is a right-hand.

a right-hand or left-hand installation from the. same set.

of knocked-down parts.

In view of the above, it will be seengthat the several objects of the invention are achieved and other ad; vantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of .theizin-r vention, it is intended that all matter contained inathe The axesof bars 43 and 45 and pivots 67 and 71 lie at the corners- When the top 9 is in raised retracted.

The only anchoring needed is thev anchoring by means of the screws extending through the:

The front-and rear above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: I

1. In combination, a base adapted to be secured in position on a floor and adapted to have a seat mounted thereon, a table top, and means for mounting the top for swinging movement between a raised retracted posi; tion above the base and a forward lowered position wherein it is located outward away from the base, said means comprising a rear leg and a front leg at one end of the base, each of said legs being pivoted at its lower end at said one end of the base and pivotally connected at its upper end to the table top, one of said legs having a horizontal cantilever extension from its upper end extending endwise under the table top for supporting the table top, and an extensible brace comprising relatively movable first and second brace members and a spring for biasing said brace members to a position of minimum extension, one of said brace members being pivoted at one end at said one end of the base, and the other brace member being pivotally connected at one end to one of said legs, said brace being extensible upon swinging of the top from its raised retracted position to its forward lowered position, the bias of said spring increasing upon the swinging of the top from its raised retracted position to its forward lowered position, the downward bias due to the weight of the top being sufiicient when the top is in its forward lowered position to overcome the bias of the spring, and positive stop means limiting the movement of the top away from its raised retracted position and de termining the forward lowered position of the top.

2. In the combination set forth in claim 1, said one brace member comprising a cylinder, one end of the cylinder and the lower end of the rear leg being pivoted on a pin secured to the base extending outward from said one end of the base, and said other brace member comprising a rod slidable in the cylinder extending out of the other end of the cylinder and pivotally connected at its outer end to the front leg, said spring comprising a coil compression spring in the cylinder acting to bias the rod inward, said positive stop means comprising interengageable means on said cylinder and rod determining a position of maximum extension of the rod from the cylinder.

3. In combination, an open rectangular frame constituting a base adapted to be secured in position on a :floor and adapted to have a seat mounted thereon, a table top, and means for mounting the top for swinging movement between a raised retracted position above said frame and a forward lowered position wherein it is located outward away from said frame, said means comprising a rear leg and a front leg on the outside of one end of said frame, the rear leg being pivoted at its lower end on said one end of said frame adjacent the rear of the frame and pivotally connected at its upper end to the table top, the front leg having a bar extending horizontally from its upper end endwise under the table top for supporting the table top, means for pivotally securing the table top to said bar, the front leg also having a bar extending horizontally from its lower end through holes in the ends of said frame for pivotally mounting the front leg, and an extensible brace comprising relatively movable first and second brace members and a spring for biasing said brace members to a position of minimum extension, one of said brace members being pivoted at one end on the outside of said one end of said frame, and the other brace member being pivotally connected at one end to the front leg, said brace being extensible upon swinging of the top from its raised retracted position to its forward lowered position, the bias of said spring increasing upon the swinging of the top from its raised retracted position to its forward lowered position, the downward bias due to the weight of the top being sufiicient when the top is in its forward lowered position to overcome the bias of the spring, and positive stop means limiting the movement. of the top away from its raised retracted position and determining the forward lowered position of the top.

4. In the combination set forth in claim 3, said one brace member comprising a cylinder, one end of the cylinder and the lower end of the rear leg being pivoted on a pin secured to said frame extending outward from said one end of the frame, and said other brace member comprising a rod slidable in the cylinder extending out of the other end of the cylinder and pivotally connected at its outer end to the front leg, said spring comprising a coil compression spring in the cylinder acting to bias the rod inward, said positive stop means comprising interengageable means on said cylinder and rod determining a position of maximum extension of the rod from the cylinder.

5. In the combination set forth in claim 3, the bar which extends from the lower end of the front leg having pins projecting therefrom on opposite sides of said one end of said frame, said one end of the frame havinga slot extending from the said opening therein adapted for entry of one of the pins to the inside of said one end of the frame for assembly of said lower bar and said frame by turning the lower bar to an angular position beyond the limits of its swing.

6. In combination, an open rectangular frame constituting a base adapted to be secured in position on a floor and adapted to have a seat mounted thereon, said frame comprising a U-shaped member constituting the front and ends of the frame, and a rear frame member having an end portion extending beyond one end of the frame, a table top, and means for mounting the top for swinging movement between a raised retracted position above said frame and a forward lowered position wherein it is located outward away from said frame, said means comprising a rear leg and a front leg on the outside of said one end of said frame, a pin secured to said end portion of said rear frame member, the rear leg being pivoted at its lower end on said pin and pivotally connected at its upper end to the table top, the front leg having a bar extending horizontally from its upper end endwise under the table top for supporting the table top, means for pivotally securing the table top to said bar, the front leg also having a bar extending horizontally from its lower end through a hole in said one end of said frame for pivotally mounting the front leg, an extensible brace comprising relatively movable first and second brace members and a spring for biasing said brace members to a position of minimum extension, one of said brace members being pivoted at one end on said pin and the other brace member being pivotally connected at one end to the front leg, said brace being extensible upon swinging of the top from its raised retracted position to its forward lowered position, the bias of said spring increasing upon the swinging of the top from its raised retracted position to its forward lowered position, the downward bias due to the weight of top being sufiicient when the top is in its forward lowered position to overcome the bias of the spring, and positive stop means limiting the movement of the top away from its raised retracted position and determining the forward lowered position of the top.

7. In the combination set forth in claim 6, said one brace member comprising a cylinder pivoted at one end on said pin, and said other brace member comprising a rod slidable in the cylinder extending out of the other end of the cylinder and pivotally connected at its outer end to the front leg, said spring comprising a coil compression spring in the cylinder acting to bias the rod inward, said positive stop means comprising interengageable means on said cylinder and rod determining a position of maximum extension of the rod from the cylinder.

8. In the combination set forth in claim 6, said rear frame member being a resilient member and provided with holes therein spaced from the ends of the frame for receiving fasteners for securing it to a floor or wall, said rearuframe memberzbeingadapted to absorbshocks occasionediby hard lowering of the table top;

9. In .the cornhinationset forth in claim 8, said rear framelmember being=a tube, and saidpin being entered in the end portion of said tube projectingbeyond said one end of the frame.

References Cited in'the fi1e:of-this patent 8 Stephenson Aug. 22, Linderrne -Oct. 27, Linde Nov. 21, Kureger Sept. 4, Nabholz Mar. 25, Schade Mar. 3,, Hess Iune 2, Hunter Apr. 22, Edwards July 29,

FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Nov. 4, Germany Oct. 9,

Germany Dec. 4, 

